Judge allows IDOT move lawsuit to go ahead

State Capitol Bureau

Thursday

Sep 25, 2008 at 12:01 AMSep 25, 2008 at 1:44 PM

A Sangamon County judge is allowing a lawsuit over the move of an Illinois Department of Transportation division from Springfield to southern Illinois to proceed, despite opposition from Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

A Sangamon County judge is allowing a lawsuit over the move of an Illinois Department of Transportation division from Springfield to southern Illinois to proceed, despite opposition from Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Judge Roger Holmes gave nine Springfield-area plaintiffs permission to file the lawsuit Thursday morning in a hearing required because of the nature of the case.

Madigan's office had argued it was premature for local lawmakers, civic leaders and state employee unions to file a lawsuit to try to stop the move.

But Holmes said it could be too late to wait for Madigan to sign off on a deal the Blagojevich administration is pursuing to purchase a former Wal-Mart building in Harrisburg to house the traffic safety division.

He likened it to closing the barn door after the horse already has escaped.

Attorneys for both sides will work a schedule for the next hearing in the case.

State Capitol Bureau

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